Concert in the Park - Alley Cats

First off, please give a big round of applause to Queen Carol L for arranging this outing, and to Annie for taking the photos and telling the story.  You both did an amazing job!  So here's Annie's description of the evening . . .

It was a perfect evening to spend outside on the Chapman University Campus.  The weather was perfect, and the campus is beautiful!  Here's a few pictures of the area we were in . . .

The courtyard where we sat for the concert

This fountain is in the middle of the courtyard.
It says "Spiritual" on one of the three walls - perfect!

This section from the Berlin Wall is along
one of the walkways on campus

This plague describes the Berlin Wall and  President Ronald Reagan's
challenge to Mikhail Gorbachev, then General Secretary
of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union,
to "Tear down this wall." 

This is a statue of Charles Chapman,
the major patron to Chapman College

The plaque on the statue

The courtyard where we sat for the concert is called
Attallah Piazza

Another view of the courtyard with the campus library in the background.
The Alley Cats performed on the walkway leading to the library.

Chris and Queen Carol L waiting for the concert to begin

Debbie, Carol L, Chris, Annie and Seema 

The concert was so good!  The Alley Cats are an a-cappella doo-wop group featuring favorite tunes from the 50's and 60's, along with comedy.  There are several groups so they can simultaneously perform all over the country.  A really really fun time!  At one time, Terron Brooks who used to lead the worship music at IHC, was a member of the Alley Cats - it was during that time that he met his wife!  Wow!

The Alley Cats

During the concert, this beautiful sunset was taking place behind us 

Here we are with the Alley Cats!
How super nice they were to take time to pose with us.

We had the best time!  And Queen Carol did an awesome job!  Maybe we'll get a chance to see the Alley Cats again one day!

Outreach Work Party Plus The Big Reveal

Today was our first Outreach Project Work Party where we all got together at Carol N's home to cut and tie fleece blankets for Boy's Republic.  We set up (3) work stations and wasted no time in getting down to work. 

Tina, Annie & Linda at Work Station #1

Carol B, Carol N and Chris at Work Station #2

Debbie & Barbara at Work Station #3

As the morning passed, we rotated around the various stations, some cutting and some tying . .

The work went really fast with so many willing hands -
this blanket is nearly finished

Seema and Linda quickly tying this one

Debbie cutting and Joy tying -
Great teamwork!

By the time our tummy's were screaming for food, we had six or seven blankets finished, with three more on the tables ready to go.  But we needed a break!  So Time Out for Lunch!  We hopped in the cars and drove over to  . . .

Corky's Diner

Here we are waiting for our food . . .

Carol B, Carol N, & Debbie

Chris, Joy & Seema

Linda & Annie

Tina, Joy & Barbara

Lunch was good, and the pie was even better!  Plus it felt great to have a little sit-down break and some time to relax and enjoy chitter-chattering with each other.  Once our tummy's were full and happy, it was time to head back to Carol N's for The Big Reveal . . .

Look how cute Brenda wrapped up our creations . .

Each one in a pretty gift bag - such a nice touch!

So let the Reveal begin . . .

Carol N's pretty planter

Tina's lovely little vase

Debbie's cheery business card holder and candy dish

Seema's gorgeous plate

Linda's precious puppy - so perfect for her!

Chris' adorable planter - Timmy Turtle

And Joy's equally adorable planter - Maxine Nutt-Tortoise

New best friends!

Sadly, Queen Barbara's plate that we were all so looking forward to seeing didn't come out of the kiln at the same time as the rest of the projects, and wasn't ready yet!  So we have to wait a little longer . . .

A few of the ladies weren't there today for the reveal . . . We took a little sneak peak anyway . . .

Dixie's  charming planter

Sharon's cute mug

And Leslie's awesome and amazing plate 

Good job everyone!  See . . . .we all DO have some creative talent hidden inside us!  We did good!!!!

We finished oohing and awing over our masterpieces, packed them safely back into their pretty little gift bags, and went back to cutting blankets.  By the end of the day, we had 13 blankets completely finished, just 3 short of our goal.  Awesome!

Front Row - Carol B, Seema, Barbara, Linda, Joy
Back Row - Tina, Annie, Carol N, Debbie, Chris

Well done Ladies!  It's amazing what we can accomplish when we work together!  F.R.I.E.N.D.S. are awesome!!!!!